If you subscribe to 2Simple's PurpleMash online resource, then you're in for a treat very, very soon. A version of 2DIY (the award winning game creation software) will very shortly be available in the gourmet mash package.
However, it's not 2DIY as you know it. It's the 2DIY maze creation tool that has been turbocharged, pumped up with steroids and now morphed into a 3D version. No more looking down on a 2D maze. You are now in the maze, moving around in a first person perspective (for those more 'mature' users of computer games out there, just think of Doom, or Quake. It's a similar experience.
I've been fortunate to be able to play around with it for a while, and I love it. I've shown the children in my class briefly, and they were sat - open mouthed - watching the 3D experience on the screen.
It works just like the original maze creation tool in 2DIY. Simply place 'walls' on a grid, add 'apples' to collect and 'monsters' to avoid. Each of these can be customised with your own clipart or drawings, and (just like in the original 2DIY) you can animate them. Set the apples to move around the maze randomly, or choose to move them back and forth. Set the monsters to patrol around the maze, back or forth, or maybe even hunt you down too. Add a descriptive splash screen and you've created a 3D maze that can be played just by using the arrow keys on a keyboard. Of course, being within PurpleMash it can be saved online, and then loaded from any other computer you move to.
Once saved, there's also an option to share your creation. Click on the globe icon, then the share button, before choosing to either share the game as a link (when clicked the game will appear full screen in a browser window), or else copy a small chunk of code that will allow the game to be embedded into a webpage.
It's quick. It's easy. It's simple to do. After all, it's 2Simple.
During my short time exploring 2DIY3D I've come up with four different ways of using the tool;
(1) As a 'typical' random maze activity where you can move around anywhere, looking for the items you need to collect;
(2) As a single route maze activity where there is only one route to reach the end, with many dead ends thrown in;
(3) As an open area activity, with only the outer walls, but a clear central space in which the action takes place.
(4) As an activity where the 'monster' elements are set to cause no harm, and instead they become essential elements within the game;
You'll soon be able to find 2DIY3D within the 'Games' area of PurpleMash - but you'll need to be logged in to use it. If you haven't yet bought the gourmet package, maybe now is the time to phone 2Simple and get it. This is just one of many additional amazing tools you'll get access to anywhere, anytime.
Before I end this post, I must add that the examples above have been possible to make thanks to the clipart of Bev Evans (@bevevans22). THank you Bev for permission to use them :o)
